2006 Renault Clio Dynamic S review from UK and Ireland

None.

My last car was a clio 182, but my new job is too far away to justify a hot hatch, and so the diesel was bought. I test drove lots of other superminis, but the part ex for my 182 was much higher from the Renault dealer, and the specification and engine I wanted were best matched with the Clio 3.

The car is quick when overtaking, and has more torque then my old clio. It lacks the exhaust note and urgency, but in return is much quieter and more comfortable.

The steering is OK now I have got used to it, but it is very light, especially at low speeds.

The biggest difference is inside the cabin, quality levels have greatly improved. I added climate control, the comfort pack (6 cd player, electric sunroof and keyless entry) and xenon lights to the already large list of extras.

The climate controls have been moved up the centre console, so are much easier to adjust when driving, and the cd player moved down, since there are steering wheel controls for it. The xenon lights are excellent for my early morning drives, and the keyless entry works perfectly, only opening the car when I put my hand near the handle, the card stays in my wallet at all times, with a cool start button.

There is lots of space inside the cabin, the boot can hold the weeks shopping with ease, and the seats fold flat for moving larger items and the rear seats lift upward to place tall items such as plants without resting them on their side.

A slightly sad side note, I have driven many many cars, and this car has THE best windscreen wipers of any of them.

Downside, slow acceleration from a standstill, mpg is not yet as high as I hope at around 54mpg, and the door handle was designed by an idiot, it is too close to the hinges, and as such you cannot get as much torque to close the door from the same amount of pulling, i.e. in a gale, it is harder to close then the equivalent car door, and my nan has trouble closing it with no wind.